Volvo Penta propshaft seal

[Clean Hull]

The link between my propshaft and gearbox on my Volvo penta 2003 is leaking.
Advice please on renewal
Thank you

[DougR]

I’m confused......

Do you have a leaking propshaft seal/stuffing box leak? .......or something between the propshaft and gearbox (like a flex coupling of some sort) that is giving you a problem?

The title says one thing, and the text says something else.

[Clean Hull]

Yes the connector between the gearbox and shaft the seal leaking

[jkishel]

A photo would help a lot.

[Clean Hull]

At at the moment will tomorrow
It’s a seal about 4 inches long

[Clean Hull]

The gearbox end is a coupling with 6 cap or Allen bolts and a grub screws in the centre is that straight forward to remove

[deblen]

This vid may help. Caution: 2 of the 6 clamp screws twisted off on my coupling also & it was a bugger getting the broken portions out. I highly recommend you hire an acetylene torch to heat the threaded portion of the 6 bolts before trying to unscrew them.They broke very easily. Once these 6 clamp bolts were loosened,the split coupling slid easily off the shaft & I re-used the coupling.
Follow the instructions & use the sleeve that comes with the new VP seal./Len

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZbtsMlGj2o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llZdgppbfnc

[PippaB]

There are so many options it is hard to help without more information.

Is it this Volvo Penta dripless shaft seal?



In that case, this seal has two lip seals that are integral with the rubber (they cannot be replaced separately). The only solution is to replace the whole seal. Volvo does recommend that you insert grease once per year. This can reduce or eliminate a leak for a short time, but is not a long-term solution.

If it is another type of shaft seal then the people here will need to know what kind in order to help.

[Clean Hull]

Originally Posted by Clean Hull

The gearbox end is a coupling with 6 cap or Allen bolts and a grub screws in the centre is that straight forward to remove

Fitting the stuffing seal is not a problem thank you for the videos.
When I undo the 6 Allen screws and the grub screw does the coupling split in two to get the old seal off and the new one on.

[deblen]

Originally Posted by Clean Hull

Fitting the stuffing seal is not a problem thank you for the videos.
When I undo the 6 Allen screws and the grub screw does the coupling split in two to get the old seal off and the new one on.

It does not split completely apart.
There are 2 slots cut in the portion that clamps to shaft.
Once you remove the 6 clamp screws & grub screw,the coupling will slide off.

Without a pic-I am assuming you have the VP split coupling that has 6 allan head clamp screws.


http://coxeng.co.uk/stern-gear/coupl...s-and-removal/


https://www.marinepartsexpress.com/VP_Schematics/

[Sailmonkey]

Do you have an oil leak or a seawater leak?

I can’t make heads or tails of what the actual problem is.

[Clean Hull]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Do you have an oil leak or a seawater leak?

I can’t make heads or tails of what the actual problem is.

I understand how the seal works and how to fit it.

Wasnt sure how to get the old one off past the 6 hole Allen screw clamped on uh

[Clean Hull]

Originally Posted by deblen

It does not split completely apart.
There are 2 slots cut in the portion that clamps to shaft.
Once you remove the 6 clamp screws & grub screw,the coupling will slide off.

Without a pic-I am assuming you have the VP split coupling that has 6 allan head clamp screws.


Coupling types and removal – Cox Engineering


https://www.marinepartsexpress.com/VP_Schematics/

It is definitely the volvo type coupling shown in the first link.
The seventh one down photo by Roger Smith

[skipperpete]

Originally Posted by Clean Hull

I understand how the seal works and how to fit it.



Wasnt sure how to get the old one off past the 6 hole Allen screw clamped on uh

Don’t be too casual in your approach to fitting the Volvo shaft seal, the lip seals are remarkably fragile and you need to follow the installation instructions very closely particularly fitting the 2 Allen screws on the sterntube clamping ring. Also get comfortable with the technique of periodically greasing the shaft seal ( practice on the old one before you take it off). This is also a very good time to check the engine alignment.

[Clean Hull]

Thank you very good advice.
My previous had a gland that took 5/16 packing and was occasionally tightened and had a grease tube to keep lubricated.
I am perfectly happy having studied the two videos on the does and fonts of fitting this type of stuffing box.

My next concerns were, as this is a new system to me, what do I expect to find when I undid the coupling with 6 Allen screws and the grub screw, now I have been made aware of how that works like a clamp on the shaft.
The clamp /coupling is also bolted to the gearbox, what can I expect when those bolts are removed.